Closed-damper indicator for fireplace

ABSTRACT

A closed-damper indicator for a fireplace having an anchoring member provided with a permanent magnet that may be removably secured to a metallic surface in the fire chamber of the fireplace, with a flexible connector having its upper end attached to the anchoring member so as to hang therefrom, and a telltale fixed to the lower end of the connector for visually indicating the fact that the damper of the fireplace has been closed.

United States Patent 1191 Adams et al. 14 1 Jan. 9, 1973 1541 CLOSED-DAMPER INDICATOR FOR 1,699,238 1/1929 Holworthy ..40/128 FIREPLACE 1,773,346 8/1930 Collins ..40/128 1,838,230 12/1931 Marsh ..40/128 Inventors: Wllham J- Adams; Eugene 2,119,825 6/1938 Moore ..40/1

rari, both of PD. Box 806, Aptos, Calif- 95003 Primary ExaminerRobert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-Wenceslao J. Contreras [22] plied 1969 Attorney-Joseph F. Cole [21] Appl. No.: 815,987

, [57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. ..40/1, 40/128, 116/114 A o -damper indi ator for a firepla e h ving an 51 1111.01 ..0091 19/00 anchoring member p de i a p r t magnet [58] Field of Search ..40/125 C, 128, 142 A, 1; that y be removably secured to a metallic Surface 126/l20 288 the fire chamber of the fireplace, with a flexible connector having its upper end attached to the anchoring [56] References Cited member so as to hang therefrom, and a telltale fixed to the lower end of the connector for visually indicat- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing the fact that the damper of the fireplace has been 2,977,082 3/1961 Harris ..40/142A closed 91 1,991 2/1909 lgelstroem ..40/128 3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures CLOSED-DAMPER INDICATOR FOR FIREPLACE SUMMARY It is a well known fact that fireplace dampers are often closed during good weather to prevent the heat in a room from going up the flue, and that fires are started in the fireplace without opening the damper. This results in causing smoke to flow into the room, causing discomfort to the occupants, and at times resulting in smoke damage.

As the cardinal object of this invention, it is propose to provide a closed-damper indicator that may be readily displayed in the fire chamber so as to visually indicate the fact that the damper has been closed. Prior to starting a fire in the fireplace, the indicator may be easily removed and then supported on an exterior face of the fireplace. Thus an occupant may determine by a casual inspection whether or not the damper is presently opened or closed, thereby overcoming any smoke discomfort or damage.

More specifically stated, it is proposed to provide a closed-damper indicator having an anchoring member with a permanent magnet fixed thereto that may be removably secured to a metallic surface in the fire chamber, the anchoring member having an upper end of a flexible connector attached thereto, and a telltale fixed to the lower end of the depending connector for visually indicating the fact that the damper has been closed.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fireplace disclosing our closed-damper indicator displayed in the fire chamber by solid lines, and the dot-dash lines illustrating the indicator removed from the fire chamber and mounted on an exterior face of the fireplace;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of .the closed-damper indicator; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the telltale portion of our indicator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing in detail, our indicator A may be displayed in the fire chamber B of a fireplace C, as disclosed by solid lines in FIG. 1, for visually indicating the fact that the damper D in the flue has been closed. As previously mention, the damper is often closed during good weather so as to conserve heat in the adjoining room and prevent this heat from going up the flue E.

It will be noted that the indicator A has an anchoring member with a permanent magnet 11 fixed thereto that may be removably secured to a metallic surface in the fire chamber, for instance the usual angle iron 12 that supports the bricks above the fire chamber. In some fireplaces, an arch is fonned for supporting the brick inste d of usi an an le iron, and i this event metal lic stri p (not sii%wn) ay be secure to the arc by suitable adhesive and the magnet 11 may be applied to this metallic strip. Such a variation is apparent and needs no illustration.

Moreover, a flexible connector 13, such as a chain or small cable, has its upper end attached to the anchoring member 10 so as to hang therefrom, and a telltale 14 is fixed to the lower end of the flexible connector. As shown in FIG. 2, the anchoring member 10 has a flat upper surface 15 in which the magnet 11 is embedded, the magnet being exposed for freely abutting the metallic surface of the fire chamber, for example, the angle iron 12.

The telltale l4 defines a representation of Hephaistos, the Greek God of Fire, as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This telltale has sufficient weight to maintain the flexible connector 13 taut when the indicator A is displayed in the fire chamber B.

During cold weather when the damper D must be opened before starting a fire in the fireplace C, the in dicator A should be removed from the fire chamber B. At that time, the magnet 11 may be placed against a metallic strip 16 that is mounted on the exterior of the fireplace for supporting various tools 17. In the event that such a metallic strip is not provided, a strip of metal may be secured by adhesive to the exterior of the fireplace and will provide ametal surface against which the magnet may be abutted.

We claim:

1. The combination with a fireplace defining a fire chamber and a damper mounted in a flue of the fireplace, of a closed damper indicator comprising:

a. an anchoring member manually positioned in the fire chamber and having a permanent magnet fixed thereto, the magnet being removably secured to a metallic surface in the fire chamber;

. a connector having an upper end attached to the anchoring member so as to hang therefrom;

c. a telltale fixed to the lower end of the connector for visually indicating the fact that the damper has been closed, the telltale defining a representation of l-lephaistos, the Greek God of Fire;

. and the magnet being made to be applied against a metallic strip fixed to the exterior of the fireplace,

when the indicator is manually removed from the fire chamber, during times when the damper is open.

The combination, as set forth in claim 1;

e. and in which the anchoring member has a flat surface wherein the magnet is embedded, the magnet being exposed for freely abutting the metallic surface of the fire chamber or the metallic strip on the exterior of the fireplace.

. The combination, as set forth in claim 1;

. and in which the connector is flexible, and the telltale has sufficient weight to maintain the connector taut when the indicator is displayed in either the fire chamber or on the exterior of the fireplace, the anchoring member and its magnet being freely movable into various angular positions relative to the length of the connector so that the magnet may be applied to horizontal or vertical metallic surfaces while the telltale remains hanging from the lower end of the connector. 

1. The combination with a fireplace defining a fire chamber and a damper mounted in a flue of the fireplace, of a closed damper indicator comprising: a. an anchoring member manually positioned in the fire chamber and having a permanent magnet fixed thereto, the magnet being removably secured to a metallic surface in the fire chamber; b. a connector having an upper end attached to the anchoring member so as to hang therefrom; c. a telltale fixed to the lower end of the connector for visually indicating the fact that the damper has been closed, the telltale defining a representation of Hephaistos, the Greek God of Fire; d. and the magnet being made to be applied against a metallic strip fixed to the exterior of the fireplace, when the indicator is manually removed from the fire chamber, during times when the damper is open.
 2. The combination, as set forth in claim 1; e. and in which the anchoring member has a flat surface wherein the magnet is embedded, the magnet being exposed for freely abutting the metallic surface of the fire chamber or the metallic strip on the exterior of the fireplace.
 3. The combination, as set forth in claim 1; e. and in which the connector is flexible, and the telltale has sufficient weight to maintain the connector taut when the indicator is displayed in either the fire chamber or on the exterior of the fireplace, the anchoring member and its magnet being freely movable into various angular positions relative to the length of the connector so that the magnet may be applied to horizontal or vertical metallic surfaces while the telltale remains hanging from the lower end of the connector. 